Canal End to be renamed Davin Stand
Tuesday, 14 March 2006 14:20Croke Park's Canal End, originally built in 1949, is set to be named after the GAA's first ever President, Maurice Davin.
The Jones Road stadium's southern stand was re-constructed and re-opened in its current state in 2003. Davin, one of the GAA's founding figures who presided at the foundation meeting in Thurles in 1884, is due to be honoured in its re-naming.
Born in Carrick-on-Suir in 1864, Davin was an outstanding athlete and broke world records in running, hurdling, jumping and weigh throwing. A farmer by profession, the Tipperary man became GAA's first President (1884-1887) and the only one to have two terms and to resign twice.
Interestingly, the 1904 All-Ireland hurling final was played on Davin's farm in 1904. He died 23 years later. The GAA centre in Carrick-on-Suir along with the local GAA club is named after him.
The GAA named Croke Park's first Hogan Stand, which was built in 1924, after Tipperary footballer Michael Hogan. Michael Cusack, one of the original founding members of the Association, had his name put to the Cusack Stand, while the Nally Stand was named after Mayo man Pat Nally.
The press area at Croke Park is also due to be named after legendary commentator Micheal O'Hehir for his work in popularising Gaelic Games. The much-loved O'Hehir commentated on 99 All-Ireland finals before his death in 1997.
